What does the Ryder Cup mean to Rory McIlroy? 

In the latest video shared by Ryder Cup Europe, Rory McIlroy laughs off his old naivety around comments about the Ryder Cup as he explains just how important the contest is to him.

Back in 2009 he now infamously called the Ryder Cup an exhibition, and said that it was not that important to him. It's commentary that has almost humorously followed him around in the years that have followed, because past promises of not fist-pumping have long been lost and his tearful disappointment at Whistling Straits more than proved how much it truly means to play for Team Europe.

“I said that in my naivety as a young swashbuckling lad. I know, I have been a part of the Ryder Cup a lot and what those three quotes are couldn't be further from the truth. Obviously, I had watched Ryder Cups on tv. I cheered for the European team and I'd played team golf before, but it's just a completely different environment once you get in there, seeing how much it means to everyone.

"It's the purest competition in golf," McIlroy says now to the camera.

"To me, it, it doesn't get any better than that. You can't replicate that feeling of playing as part of a team and winning and feeling like you've contributed in some way and you've done it for other people, not just yourself.

"Win, lose or draw. Ryder Cup weeks are always amazing and you form bonds that hopefully will last a lifetime and, you know, you get to know people on a different level and that's, that's wonderful. Losing the Ryder Cup and having to wait two years to win it back is at the start. The most disappointed you're ever gonna feel."

Watch the full video below.